CLEARWATER – Tampa Bay Water warns of worsening drought conditions as lower-than-normal rainfall and streamflow continue across the region.
The regional utility is asking residents to comply with the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s tighter watering restrictions, which went into effect Feb. 8.
One-day-per-week lawn watering saves drinking water during drought conditions.
“It’s important for residents to know their conservation efforts can make a big difference,” said Warren Hogg, chief science officer for Tampa Bay Water. “Two years ago, residents in our region helped reduce water demands by up to 30% by simply sticking to watering days and using only the water you need inside your home.”
Water utility customers of Tampa Bay Water’s member governments can find their allowed watering day by checking their zip codes at MyWaterDay.org. Member governments include Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties and the cities of St. Petersburg, New Port Richey and Tampa.
As of Feb. 1, rainfall deficits have exceeded 5 inches and streamflow deficits have exceeded 10 million gallons per day, triggering Tampa Bay Water’s Stage 2 Drought Warning for its service area. Prolonged dry periods can lead to lower river flows, decreased storage in the regional reservoir and more aggressive cutbacks to water use.
Looking Ahead
Less rainfall means increased water demand due to outdoor watering, and regional river systems that supply drinking water have lower flows. To meet water demands this dry season, Tampa Bay Water will rely on groundwater and seawater sources and river water stored in the regional reservoir.
Tampa Bay Water’s system is built to withstand dry conditions and there are sufficient drinking water supplies to serve the region; however, conservation efforts extend the utility’s water supplies and leave more for the environment, where it is needed.
Looking ahead to spring, typically the driest months of the year in the region, conditions will be dry and hot. As temperatures increase, so do water demands, which can strain local water supply systems.
“With the driest months of the year still ahead of us, it’s important for residents to make these changes now,” said Hogg. “As we get to our typical spring dry season, we expect conditions to worsen.”
Conservation Tips
With up to 50% of water used at home going to outdoor watering, residents can save the most outdoors.
Ways to save water outdoors include:
- Know your watering days: Watering restrictions are year-round in the Tampa Bay area. Find your local utility’s watering restrictions by entering your zip code at MyWaterDay.org.
- Water for winter: Landscapes are dormant and only need water every 10 to 14 days during winter months.
- Skip a week of watering: When it’s raining or rain is in the forecast, let Mother Nature water your lawn for free. This can save 1,500 to 2,500 gallons of water.
- Inspect your irrigation system: Broken and blocked sprinkler heads can waste 25,000 gallons of water in six months. Regular inspections avoid waste and help make sure you’re not watering the sidewalk. Rebates for irrigation inspections are available through the Tampa Bay Water Wise program at tampabaywaterwise.org.
- Use a hose nozzle: Using a hose nozzle saves about 8 gallons per minute by keeping the water from running constantly.
Even if you don’t water your yard, there are other ways to save including:
- Look for leaks: Save up to 180 gallons per week, or 9,400 gallons of water annually, by fixing household leaks.
- Check your flapper: A leaking toilet flapper can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day and may cost you hundreds of dollars a year.
- Turn off the tap: Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save 8 gallons of water per day.
- Maximize dishwasher and laundry loads: Running dishwashers and clothes washers only when it’s full can save the average family nearly 320 gallons of water annually.
- Get rebates for water-efficient upgrades: Install water-efficient fixtures and technology and receive rebates through the Tampa Bay Water Wise program at tampabaywaterwise.org.
- Find more water-saving tips at tampabaywater.org/SaveWater.
